Holiday Inn Express & Suites Central Omaha by IHG

The facilities are pretty standard for a Holiday Inn, but the people working here made the stay. I've never met staff this nice. I was here alone for work for two weeks, and they made it feel like home. They helped clear a chaotic group of kids out of the gym, gave me quarters for the laundry machine, and were kind and helpful whenever I talked to them. I really appreciated how accommodating they were, and hope they hear how much it meant.

Finding a hotel near Children’s Nebraska that could really meet our family's access needs mattered a lot. We're medically complex and use a wheelchair, and we felt supported and respected here instead of like a burden. I realized in the parking lot that I hadn't requested an accessible room, and started to panic. Before I could even ask at check-in, the staff had noticed and moved us to an ADA-compliant room. They handled it without making us explain or adding stress. The pool lift didn't work at first, which can be so discouraging for wheelchair users. The front desk acted right away: they contacted the right staff, brought a charged battery, got it working, and kept an eye on it while we swam so it could safely lift us back out. I've been to plenty of hotels where the lift was out of order and staff just said, "sorry, it's out of order." This level of awareness and help is rare. Whitney at the front desk was genuinely caring. The room had four pillows per bed, which was amazing, and free water for club members. Small things matter when you're dealing with a lot. When staff heard why we were there, they also gave us a discount, much appreciated at Christmas when money was tight. If you need dependable ADA-accessible lodging near Children’s Nebraska, especially for a medically complex family or a wheelchair user, this place really shows up. Highly recommend. I rarely leave reviews, but this hotel deserves one.

Check-in was quick and smooth, and the person who helped us was professional and very kind. We enjoyed the hotel and would stay again, but I want to point out some access difficulties in the spacious handicap room. Neither the room door nor the bathroom door stays open, making it hard for a wheelchair user to get through independently. The wall-mounted bathroom soap is out of reach, and the toilet's tank button is hard to access for someone who can't stand and turn. The all-white bathroom also makes it difficult for someone with low vision to tell the sink from the walls. Outside, the curb at the entrance, except for a small cutout, is difficult for wheelchair users and for people pushing carts.

The man checking us in answered all my questions. The room was a little small, with one bed and a fold-out couch, though there was plenty of floor space. It didn't smell, but you may need to hit the bottom of the remote. The location was okay. I wish the food court were inside the hotel, since you have to walk across to get to it. I'd give the place 3 stars.